Food for Thought

So, there we have it! With our fifth Scottish Food Fortnight under our belt, we really do feel that this fantastic celebration of Scottish produce has gained such momentum. Another SFF down and what a great time was had by all! We are continuing to get excellent feedback, not only from those who ran events or promotions during SFF but also from a plethora of partakers in many of these fabulous SFF offers.

So, there we have it! With our fifth Scottish Food Fortnight under our belt, we really do feel that this fantastic celebration of Scottish produce has gained such momentum. Another SFF down and what a great time was had by all! We are continuing to get excellent feedback, not only from those who ran events or promotions during SFF but also from a plethora of partakers in many fabulous SFF offers.

As the final cyclists rode, wind-swept, wet and weary into Glasgow Green and the winning line of the Tour of Britain cycle race, you would have been forgiven if you had decided that the day was not one for venturing outside. However the closing weekend of the Scottish Food Fortnight hosted a special farmers market and garden party on Glasgow Green that was spirited enough to warm even the most soaked of spectators, and the evocative smells of warm foods wafting over the green cheered the crowds of chilly cyclists.

A fitting marriage of healthy exercise and fresh food epitomised the ethos of Scottish Food Fortnight, who have campaigned tirelessly for the promotion of Scottish produce and a celebration of our natural larder. Following two weeks of hundreds of events, from porridge promotions, special menus and dishes, and family days out, thousands of people have participated in foodie festivities across the country.

Following the Glasgow Green Farmers Market, the Scottish Food Fortnight drew to a close on Sunday, at the Scottish Food Fest, hosted by the Wee County Development Trust, in Alva, Clackmannanshire. With master-class demonstrations from a variety of the country’s top chefs, and samples of food and drink from a wide array of Scottish producers, the event was a worthy and fitting finale to the fortnight. With illustrious performances from chefs representing some of Scotland’s top hotels, The Old Course Hotel and Spa, Gleneagles and the Fairmont, joining luminaries such as Edith Tao demonstrating the art of Sushi, and Domenico Crolla, the man behind the most expensive Pizza in the world, the day had a distinctly international flavour mixed in with a good helping of local hospitality. Now into its 5th year, the Scottish Food Fortnight has been bigger than ever, with its influence being felt in every corner of the Country. Tony Andrews, chairman of the Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational Trust (SCAET), the driving force behind the event said: “Promoting food is one of the most important things that we do at the SCAET, and is at the centre of rural life. It supports thousands of jobs and has the potential to support thousands more, as we promote Scotland’s larder around the world. Buying local fresh produce also generates huge environmental benefits and can help make us a healthier nation.” The success of the Scottish Food Fortnight emphasises the extent to which healthy eating and an appreciation of our culinary heritage has impacted the general awareness of the public. The organisers of the event are confident that next year will be even larger

Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, and Lady Claire MacDonald, one of Scotland’s most prolific culinary ambassadors, will open this year’s Scottish Food Fortnight at the magical setting of Glamis Castle, Angus, on August 31st Now in its fifth year, the annual two-week event, organised by the Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational Trust (SCAET) celebrates the wealth and breadth of Scottish produce, from meat and fish, to fruit and vegetables, dairy products and beers and whiskys. A nationwide event running from 1st – 16th September, SFF will see hundreds of participants, from large scale to small, and a plethora of producers, retailers and other foodie businesses taking part to educate visitors and illustrate to participants the importance of buying and eating local produce, and of promoting Scotland’s natural larder.

Scottish Food Fortnight’s Patron Lady Claire McDonald is joined this year by Michelin Starred chefs Gordon Ramsey, Martin Wishart, Nick Nairn and Andrew Fairlie, who have all given their backing and support to the event, and are participating in various demonstrations across the country.

The launch will commence at 11h30 with a press conference in the 16th Century kitchens of Glamis castle with an introduction by Tony Andrews and the official launch given by patron, Lady Claire MacDonald, and Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead, after which they will be happy to give interviews whilst children clad in period costume hand around tastings of local produce. At 12h15 there will be the presentation of grouse in feather, piped in by Russell Walker from Forfar Academy, which will then be included in the demonstration BBQ of seasonal game being given by award winning chefs Andrew Wilkie and Kevin MacGillivray from nearby Castleton House Hotel. The two chefs will illustrate the perfect BBQ techniques for seasonal game, shot especially for the occasion on the Glamis estate. Their results will then be available to taste with other local produce and a selection of drinks concluding at 13h30.

The Launch of the Scottish Food Fortnight also opens the Scottish Countryside Alliance’s Countryside Festival, a two-day spectacular and a yearly favourite on the rural calendar. This year’s line up includes The Devil’s Horseman display team, Falconry Displays from Ridgeside and musical entertainment provided by Capercaillie and Wolfstone

Scottish Schools are being invited to enter the ‘Smoothest Smoothie in Scotland’ competition to celebrate Scottish Food Fortnight 2007. Competitors will enter their recipe, using produce from around Scotland, to create the ‘Smoothest Smoothie’ which will be judged by some of the nations well known culinary figures. The final ‘smoothie-off’ will be held at the launch of Scottish Food Fortnight at Scotland’s Countryside Festival at Glamis Castle in Angus.

Scottish Schools are being invited to enter the ‘Smoothest Smoothie in Scotland’ competition to celebrate Scottish Food Fortnight 2007. Competitors will enter their recipe, using produce from around Scotland, to create the ‘Smoothest Smoothie’ which will be judged by some of the nations well known culinary figures. The final ‘smoothie-off’ will be held at the launch of Scottish Food Fortnight at Scotland’s Countryside Festival at Glamis Castle in Angus. Entrants must be in teams of two, where the combined age of the team is either Under 30 or Over 30.

Each entry must submit a recipe, within which at least two items in the smoothie must be grown locally. There will be a range of prizes to win. Scottish Food Fortnight aims to create an awareness of the quality and variety of food and drink on offer in Scotland, and to change the habits of what we eat and where we buy it’. The two-week long event, which is backed by internationally renowned chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Nick Nairn, Martin Wishart and Andrew Fairlie, will run from the 1st September until 16th September 2007.

To participate in the Scottish Food Fortnight ‘Smoothest Smoothie’ in Scotland competition, or to find out more details of events in your area please email.

The programme for Scottish Food Fortnight 2007 was announced today revealing participants and supporters from all over Scotland. Backed by culinary stars including Martin Wishart, Nick Nairn, Andrew Fairlie and Gordon Ramsay, the two week long celebration of Scottish produce begins on the 1st September 2007. The programme for Scottish Food Fortnight 2007 was announced today revealing participants and supporters from all over Scotland. Backed by culinary stars including Martin Wishart, Nick Nairn, Andrew Fairlie and Gordon Ramsay, the two week long celebration of Scottish produce begins on the 1st September 2007. Scottish Food Fortnight 2007 will be officially launched at Glamis Castle, venue for Scotland’s Countryside Festival, on 31st August 2007 by the fortnight’s patron Lady Claire McDonald. Over the following two weeks, events such as; the Dundee Flower and Food Festival, The Gluten Free Fayre, The Taste of Mull & Iona Food Festival, The Taste of Tain, Loch Lomond Food and Drink festival and other food events will be held right across Scotland to celebrate Scottish Food Fortnight. One highlight for budding chefs in the west will be the cookery classes to be held by Scotland on Sunday food columnist Jaqueline O’Donnell at her award winning restaurant The Sisters. Organisers of the Fortnight are also in talks with the UK’s version of The Tour de France, The Tour of Britain www.tourofbritain.com, who are looking to host a celebration of fitness and food as the cyclists cross the finishing line in Glasgow on the 15th September.Scottish Food Fortnight 2007 will be closed by a spectacular Food Fest in Clackmannanshire where cookery displays and a Central FM roadshow will be held in a specially erected tented village.Many of the Farmers Markets held across Scotland during September will be promoting the Scottish Food fortnight messages – for details on your local Farmers Market, visit www.scottishfarmersmarkets.co.ukFor information on more events taking place throughout the fortnight, such as French wine and Scottish cheese tastings, a Gourmet seafood trail, a local game food festival, cookery classes and farm visits, keep watching